Pool protector with solar properties

ABSTRACT

A pool protector with solar properties has a plurality of vertical legs that support a plurality of roof supports and horizontal supports. Each leg is connected to a roof support and two horizontal supports using a connector. A top connector is made to join all the upper ends of the roof supports at a selected angle and declination to provide stability. A sprinkler system is provided to allow water to be directed downward to provide a cooling spray. A generally transparent covering portion is provided to trap solar radiation within the structure helping to provide a comfortable environment within the interior portion. Additionally, netting is provided to keep foreign objects from entering the enclosed space. Horizontal support arms are provided to allow the netting to be attached.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The popularity of above ground pools is growing as more and more peopleown their own pool. The first evidence of a pool is over 3000 years old.In the United States alone, there are almost a half-million pools andeven more hot tubs and spas. Historically, pool ownership was a statussymbol since only the wealthiest individuals could afford a pool.

Maintenance of a modern pool, although simplified due to advances inpool chemistry, is still a constant task requiring monitoring of poolchemistry. Also, it is often necessary to physically clean the pooldaily since foreign objects like leaves often collect in the open pool.Additionally, most people prefer pool waters in a temperature rangewhich requires heating to keep them in the comfort range.

There is a need for an inexpensive, easy to maintain pool covering thatalso helps heat and maintain a pool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A pool protector with solar properties has a plurality of vertical legsthat support a plurality of roof supports and horizontal supports. Eachleg is connected to a roof support and two horizontal supports using aconnector. A top connector is made to join all the upper ends of theroof supports at a selected angle and declination to provide stability.A sprinkler system is provided to allow water to be directed downward toprovide a cooling spray. A generally transparent covering portion isprovided to trap solar radiation within the structure helping to providea comfortable environment within the interior portion. Additionally,netting is provided to keep foreign objects from entering the enclosedspace. Horizontal support arms are provided to allow the netting to beattached.

Other features and advantages of the instant invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the invention which refers tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a pool protector according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the pool protector shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a pool protector according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the pool protector shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the pool protector shown in FIG. 3 with ascreen panel installed.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a pool protector according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the portion shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the pool protector shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the pool protector shown in FIG. 6 with screenpanel installed.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a pool protector according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference ismade to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements,and which are intended to show by way of illustration specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understoodthat other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes maybe made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a pool protector with solar properties 100is shown having a plurality of vertical legs 110 that are connected to aplurality of roof supports 125 using angle connectors 130 which in turnconnects and terminates in top connectors 140. A plurality ofT-connectors 135 connect a plurality of horizontal support arms 115 tovertical legs 110 and angle connectors 130. A horizontal sprinkler arm120 is supported by roof supports 125 and may be connected to anexternal water supply such as a garden hose (not shown in FIG. 1 or 2).

Pool protector with solar properties 100 is made of polyvinyl chloride(PVC) pipe which is lightweight, strong and chemically resistant toderogation. Of course other materials may be used such as but notlimited to aluminum, copper or other suitable metal or plastic orcomposite material.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, pool protector with solar properties 100is shown having a plurality of support arm connectors 155 connectinghorizontal support arms 115 in addition to t-connectors 135. A pluralityof sprinkler connectors 150 join sprinkler arms 120 together and hangfrom sprinkler supports 145. Top connector 140 is constructed to joinroof supports together at the selected angle.

Now referring to FIG. 5, pool protector with solar properties 100 isshown having a solar covering 160 that is tied down to using tie downs175. Screen panel 165 is attached to the frames using tie downs 175. Aflap 170 is provided to allow a user to enter and exit. Solar covering160 is made of a mostly transparent material which allows solarradiation to penetrate, but traps the heat therein. Plastic materialswork very well but other materials may be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 8, a pool protector with solarproperties 600 is shown having a plurality of vertical legs 610 whichare stabilized using base plates 697 attached to the bottom of legs 610.Although base plates 697 are shown, it is not necessary to use baseplates. Connectors 630 are used to connect roof supports 625 with legs610. A plurality of T-connectors 635 connect a plurality of horizontalsupport arms 615 to vertical legs 610 and angle connectors 630. In thisembodiment, sprinkler heads 690 are disposed along a lower surface ofroof support 625 to provide a spray of water 627 directed towards a pool632. A hose 642 supplies water to vertical leg 610 using a valve 680 andhose connector 685. A pressure reducer (not shown) may be used to reducethe water pressure if necessary to enhance safety. Vertical leg 610 issealed using connector 635 which uses water seals 695 which preventswater from flowing through horizontal support arms 615. Additionally, awater seal is used to seal water inside vertical leg 610 at base plate697 (not shown). It is necessary to drain the water out of the systemanytime the temperature may cause freezing. The water is drained usingvalve 680.

A top connector 640 is used to join all roof supports 625 as discussedabove. The number of sprinkler heads depends on how much water the userwould like. Sprinkler heads may be placed along a portion of a singleroof support or may be placed on multiple roof supports. If it isdesirable to have more sprinkler heads on multiple roof supports, thenwater seals 695 may not be used. Water may be maintained in all legs androof supports and only sealed at the base. Additionally, an interiorhose may be disposed within a vertical leg and run up to the sprinklerhead (not shown). In an embodiment using an interior hose, it is notnecessary to make the connections between the vertical leg and thesprinkler head water tight.

In reference to FIG. 9, a solar top 660 is used to trap solar radiationand to keep foreign materials out of pool 632. Screen panels 665 areused to keep foreign materials and insects out of the pool area. Tiedowns 175 attach solar top 660 to the frame.

Now referring to FIG. 10, screen panel 165 is attached a panel support190 that is disposed horizontally and interior to vertical legs 110.Panel supports 190 are similar in structure to horizontal sprinkler armsdiscussed in relation to FIG. 1 but in this embodiment panel supports190 have no connection to the water supply and are only used to supportscreen panel 165. A plurality of panel holders 180 are attached to aplurality of grommets 185 disposed along an upper portion of screenpanel 165. Although sprinkler heads 690 are not shown in FIG. 10, it isunderstood that they may be used with any of the embodiments shown toprovide a cooling spray of water as discussed above.

Of course, the present invention would also be useful in otherapplications such as covering, for example a picnic table. The waterspray or mist would provide a cooling affect and the screens and solartop would keep the enclosed space more enjoyable.

Although the instant invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pool protector with solar properties comprises: a plurality of vertical legs; a plurality of roof supports; a plurality of horizontal supports; a plurality of angle connectors; a plurality of T-connectors; each of said vertical leg being attached to said T-connector at an upper portion therein and connected to said angle connector and said roof support; a top connector connected to an upper end of said roof supports; said top connector being adapted to join all roof supports at a selected angle and declination; at least one spray head disposed along a bottom portion of said roof support; a water input valve disposed on a portion of said vertical leg wherein water may be introduced therein; and a watertight path connecting said water input valve to said at least one spray head wherein water is contained therein.
 2. The pool protector with solar properties according to claim 1 further comprising a generally transparent top disposed over an upper portion of said plurality of roof supports wherein thermal energy is retained therein.
 3. The pool protector with solar properties according to claim 1 further comprising a panel portion removably attached to an outer portion of said plurality of vertical legs wherein foreign materials are prevented from entering the interior therein.
 4. The pool protector with solar properties according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of base plates disposed along a bottom portion of said plurality of vertical legs wherein said vertical legs are further stabilized.
 5. The pool protector with solar properties according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of inner horizontal supports disposed along an inner portion of said roof supports wherein a panel portion is supported using a plurality of panel supports that are adapted to fit within a plurality of grommets disposed along an upper portion of said panel portion.
 6. A pool protector with solar properties comprising: A plurality of vertical legs; said vertical legs being attached to a plurality of T-connectors at an upper end of said vertical legs; a plurality of angle connectors attached to an upper portion of said plurality of T-connectors; a plurality of roof supports attached to an upper end of said plurality of angle connectors; at least one top connector adapted to join upper free ends of said plurality of roof supports to provide a stable structure; and a plurality of inner horizontal supports disposed along a lower surface of said plurality of roof supports wherein a panel is supported therein.
 7. The pool protector with solar properties according to claim 6 further comprising a plurality of base plates attached to a lower portion of said plurality of vertical legs.
 8. The pool protector with solar properties according to claim 6 further comprising at least one spray head disposed along an inner portion of at least one of said roof support and connected to a water supply.
 9. The pool protector with solar properties according to claim 8 further comprising a hose connector and valve disposed on one of said plurality of vertical legs.
 10. The pool protector with solar properties according to claim 9 wherein said at least one spray head is adapted to receive water through said vertical leg wherein said vertical leg is sealed to provide a leak free path for the water. 